The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-01-22


wait q reasonable time, and so is
Louise. But hardly like to go toto
her father unless can show him some
better prospect than have at present
CT Being able to keep wife"
"No wonder" sneered old Josiah,
thoroughly enjoying the youths con-
fusion.
sWhat came, then, to ask you,
Uncle JOSIAH" said Jack, rousing him.
self, twas whether you could give me
an opening here il, your Office. OF
course know Ihave no claim whatever
uton you; but still, this was originally
my fathers business, and you have no
partner. / could get good testimonials
from my preseiA employers, and l am
sure"
II suppose you would prefer to be
senior partner" interrupted old Josiah,
sarcastically.
II don't expcct--I don't ask for
minute--to be taken into partnership,
said Jack, wincing. II should, of
course, hope that in the future. if /
prove myself worthy. you would like
to continue the old name in the firm,
and consider that am not an unfit
person to succeed you. "You see,"
added the lad with burst of candor,
'what L chiefly want is to be admitted
to your Office. Whatever my present
salary and prospects, if were only in
your Office, Mr.. Martineau, knowing
you, and that I am your nephew,
would naturally listen"
"Martineau! What Martineau?"
cried old Josiah, interrupting the flood
of Jacks grafton.
"Mr. Martinau, of Mincing lane. A
wool broker, isn't hep am sure he
knows you," exclaimed Jack.
"Oho! So the young lady is n daugh-
ter of my old friend Martineau, eh?"
exclaimed old Josiah, startled into ex-
hibiting surprise.
Eyes, uncle. Her name is Louise
She is quite young, only nineteen, fair,
blue eyes, and"
"What does her father sayp" inter-
posed his uncle.
"Well, the fact is, deferred speak
ing until l had made an appeal to you,
uncle" answered Jack, descending
from the clouds. "Of course, dare
say, situated as 1 am at present, Mr..
Martineau ght-mig ght-''
ayes, should think so indeed, \"
scoffed old Josiah. '.Arc you aware,
young man. that Mr. Martincau is
worth quarter of u million? 'Pon my
word, it is like your impcrtinence to
venture to make love to his daughter!'
II relied-at least hoped, with your
good word and kind assistance, uncle
"Did your cried old Josiah, his eyes
sparkling with savage satisfaction
"You imagined, did you, that after the
disrespectful manner you have behaved
to me all your life you had only to come
and cringe-"
THAT will do, Uncle Josiah" inter
rupted Jack. in his turn, rising from hi
seat with creditable calmness, 81 see i
is of no use. put my pride in my
pocket, and deserve this rebuff, an
sorry for having occupied your time. ,
"Of all the confounded impcrti
nent-"
"Silence!" cried Jack, checking til,
rising stream of his uncle's vitupcratiol
with u sharp exclamation which ran;
through the office. ~ did not com,
here to be insulted. l neither know
nor care what your opinion of me is
but I'll trouble you to be civil"
Old Josiah shrank beneath his neph
ew's indignant gaze, for he was secrctl,
frightened and subdued by the spiri
which the young man displayed whel
reused. He bent over his desk, and be
gan fidgcting about with the paper up
on it, but he could not refrain from fiji
ing parting shot.
You say you have not spoken t
: Mr., Martineau about your engagement
to his daughterp" he remarked, as Jac
reached the door,
Not mt present. must now, an
take my chance" said the young man
rather ruefully.
"At all events, shall feel it my dut
to put Mr.. Martineau on his guard,
said old Josiah, taking up pen with
nervous gesture. "He is an old friend
and as you are my nephew l conside
that 1 ought to acquaint him with wha
: is going on.''
.'There is no occasion for your in
reference, Uncle Josiah" said Jack
taking an angry stride into the room.
II am the best Judge of that" II
, turned his uncle.
"Look here, UNCLE" said Jack, lif
ing his finger warningly, ''leave me t
: manage my own affairs. I promis
! that will inform Mr.. Martineau of M
engagement to his daughter. There
no need whatever to put yourself fol
ward; and what is more" added TIL
young man, with rising color, ''if yo
do, you shall repent it. Now min
1 thatr'
Old Josiah Flegg was naturally il
: dignant at his nephew's menacin
/ tone, but he did not venture to say al
other word, and allowed Jack to d,
part without further interruption. I
. tell the truth, he felt vaguely uneasy /
the threat which had been addressed t
: him, without quite knowing why. II
: could not conceive that it was With
J, the power of his nephew to do him an
: harm, and yet his cowardly natul
L | \yincal ot what ho raUar1ad as n